During the last week or two the Cowbirds, Grackles, and Robins have
arrived here. But today when a Red-Wing Blackbird showed for the
first time this year did I really believe that spring is nearly
here. He must have heard that we were going to take a run at 60
degrees this weekend.

The housefinches are busy around here this week - here being on the
north shore of Lake Ontario by Etobicoke Creek (almost opposite St.
Catharine's on the south shore). The males aren't singing their
little hearts out just yet, more twittering going on between the
sexes and coy little hoppings away, then closer. Our balcony isn't
suitable for their nests so they don't stay long.
Later (and as I have to move away by the end of May I not get to
hear) the males perch on the parapet top and sing wonderfully. Nor do
all of them fly away if I am already outside, but sometimes hop right
up close giving little questioning tweets.

We have them on our pond each spring, hanging out on their way through mostly, it
seems. I put up a wood duck nesting box three years ago, which was ignored for the
first two years. I was starting to think I'd placed it badly or something. But then, last
year, it was used...and successfully at that!

Just saw our first Grosbeaks of the year, going after some seed I
left outside yesterday. We generally see them around this time of
year and then only rarely once it warms up. A neighbor spotted the
first bluebird (the rocky mountain variety, fluorescent blue) the
other day. I'm always amazed that these birds show up here when we
still have the possiblity of at least 8 more weeks of Winter, maybe
more.

A Wood Duck nesting box, that's cool Kai. I have put one out the
last few years (4 or 5 yrs, I think) And it has always been used,
but sometimes I don't think the hatch rate of the eggs has been that
good. Often there are several un-hatched eggs found when I clean out
the box. Along with the ones I can tell did hatch.
Do you have any information on the average number of eggs lain and
the percentage that hatch?
The Wood Ducks who live around me are very skittish. Just turning
the door knob to go out or walking too fast past the window will
send them flying and yelling across the lake. Are yours that jumpy.

We have red wing blackbirds all year round in Cape May.
I got to see displaying woodcocks on Sunday just after sunset. Also
saw short eared owls, red tailed hawk, a flack of black crowned
night herons and an eastern meadowlark.

My bird feeder has finally paid off! It has been fairly disappointing
this winter (since December) with little activity, but now it is
warmer and the activity has picked up considerably. I have 2
tallow balls and one feeder tube with 6 stations. The birds seems to
obey certain "rules of engagement" with one at a time at the balls
and only 2 at a time on the feeder. Several birds are waiting their
turn in the bushes. :)